Dusty

“I’m not past taking an offer of clean water later.” Bravo remarked as he followed Blueblood. “It took me a few weeks to get used to the fact that clean water is so readily available. But even now I find it hard to stomach how wasteful some are with it… Same for food. I do my best to not pass judgement, devent worlds and different times.” He added giving some insight to views on the matter. To live on the scraps of a dying world gave one deep respect for the smallest of fortunate gifts. Clean water and food nothing to take for granted and even with so much at his hooves he found it hard to be wasteful. A full sea of drinkable water was as precious and valuable as half a glass full. A full table of food fresh and warm was no less wonderful than a can of ancient, yet edible, soup uncovered in the decaying heart of a long lost city. 

Upon entering the den Bravo whistled as he looked about the room, spinning about in place a few to take in all of the room. Well some of the wonder of this world was lost on him, time and time it pulled something new to impress him. He moved about studying architecture and furniture in wonderment of the past now living before him. Looking to Blue he nods his head. “Yes.” He says with a puff of smoke. Looking at the ashtray Blue can see the thinking going on behind Bravos eyes as the wastelander pieces together what it is. Than walked over and drops his spent cig on it. Than lifting a hoof he gently pushed the tip of a hoof down on it, crushing the cig and killing the embers. He then sits down on the seat, shifting his large wings about like a cape on his back. There large size was so much that they seem to get in the way of something so easy as sitting. Yet Bravo made do, a lifetime of dealing with them making such struggles part of life and hardly notable to him. “Surprise me, i’m not pisky. Just no whisky.”

Lightning was a little on the shocked side to hear another voice in her head. She had to many of them as is! But at least it was easy to understand it. Gathering herself she did her best to explain what was going on.

-Critical warning! Enforcer at risk of capture! Preparing scuttling! Critical warning!-

Just about every cuss word Lightning knew flashed in her head, she had no time to remark on… whatever was going on with that headless mare being tossed in to the lake. “C-code!” she barks, she knew what had to be done yet… saying it was so hard! “G-go-goa” The words just can’t leave her muzzle. She can’t speak them. 

All she can do is hope the pink mare can work it out somehow. But she had to gain the override codes and speak them… from there she end the scuttling. And really have the freedom to whatever she wanted to Lightning. Even inprint herself as the new ‘CEO’. but that was a risk Lightning can live with over exploding. After that she can work out what systems got damaged. They can be repaired, exploding can not. 

“Can read… thinking… my thinking?” She asked. “Can’t… Tell you. Things. Can’t think of some even… But code. Code in my head. Someware. You NEED it. Whatever it takes.” She explained. Hoping the pink one can understand it. 

Bravo arched an eyebrow than chuckles at the hasty salute Blueblood tossed up. He was not at all offended by it, it was an honest try from a pony that had no real clue what to do back. “I can tell you, his great, great grandson is pretty much the same. Never in my life have I had as much fun, and hated him just as much, as when I worked with that %$#^&%$ colt toy of a pony.” He says with a smoky sinker and makes his way in doors, taking care to keep his wet power armor on the door rug as to not trail water all over. 

The smoking rules sounded fair, far better than most, so he had nothing to fuss about. “Sounds good to me, will put it out if I ever end up going to the other floors.” He says with a nod of thanks. Now removing his armor… He was safe, he knew he was. Yet it never came easy. Letting Blue guide him to where wanted it to rest he then put his helmet back. “Stand back, don’t touch the moving parts.” He says over the armors speaker as the back hissed, then splits open like a bug shedding its old skin. Bravo pulled himself out much the same way with a skin tight jumpsuit over his body. Key parts of the jumpsuit had metal rings that looked to lock in to parts of the armor to help Bravo move in it. And maybe to some joy Blue saw the scorpion tail stay put as Bravos flank came free. In its place was a balled up tail, tucked up between the legs. Bravo had to shake it some to unstick it from the jumpsuit. 

Free he stretched his legs some and sniffed at himself. “Eh..” is all he had too say remarking on his sent. Looking back at Blue he puffed his cig a few times. “Well, best I keep this on. Even if this is not too bad… back in my world I went weeks on weeks without ever seeing a shower. But that was pretty normal for every pony. Clean water was to $@%^$#  rare to waste on washing.” He says with a sheepish grin. "I do love all the clean water you have... small things in life."

Bravo let out a proof smoke as he watched a passing car, long fancy and screaming power and riches. All of this place did that. It was so different, so alien and unbelievable. Yet there it was. And maybe that was what was most hard… or was it letting go? He did not know, it seemed to change every day. But he was a hunter of the Enclave, he lived years in the wasteland. He can make it. 

Turning to look at the door as it opens he saw Blue. His eyes looking up and down a few times as he looks over the details and after a moment's time speaks up. “%@#$.” He mutters the swear on smokey air. “You really are him. Just like the postcard… Nice to meet you sir.” With that he stands tall, wings close and tall up tall as he clicks his four hovers together, bows a head than looks up well shooting one giant wing up skyward. One can not underset how large his wings were to a normal pegasus. “SSgt Castle Bravo, Hunter 6th squad of the 5th fleet, Raptor, Frozen Skys.” He spoke fast as he held that pose and did not move for a few more moments before dropping it, standing like a normal pony. Well, normal as one can in his getup and with a scorpion tail behind him. “Java has done his best. It seems we all know him. He did not tell me this… Not shocking. I know him well… and know his great, great grandson from my timeline. It helps us break the ice more easily. Luna bless him, insane as he is he’s done all he can to make this %#@$ %@#$@ #@$@#$ of a deal more easy.” He says with all the charm of a wastelander. He takes in one more deep pull on a cigarette. “No smoking inside?” He asked with a frown, none vocally showing how much he did not care for how many hated smoking. 

You know what is awesome? The world. What is more awesome? Seeing how big it is after knowing only your home! At least that is Autumn Blaze believed and nothing was going to change that, so far she has had a blast! Her first stop off the train was a town out west and in the first 24hrs she managed to do so much. Meet outlaws, party with outlaws, end up in jail for a night and get a free bed. It was awesome! Done hanging with them she was back out on the streets exploring Appleloosa. Fun as they were she still had a lot to do in town before she had to jump onto a new train and head east! 

“What do you think Gloom?” Blaze asked looking at the map, than down at the shadow casted next to her. “Ohh ya the farms… You think appels live there? Well ya it's an appel farm…. Oh! Apples as in like applejack? Be funny if one of them lived in a town named after apples! And having appel farms. She was an apple farmer wasn't she?” She jerks a hoof up, holding a stick with her cloven hoof, shaking it at herself with a shocked face. “Twiggy! Shhh! Don’t use such language, there are foals about! But yes, it is pretty hot out here… must be the lack of trees. Well sounds like we got a plan. To the appel farms!” Jumping up and shoving the map in her big saddle bags she raced down the dirt roads, a smile big and strong as can be on her muzzle as she looked at the passing town in wonderment. So much to see, so much to do. How will she ever see the world in a lifetime? She only just started!

Loyalty. The guiding light for all pegasus ponies in the war and after. Loyalty was everything and this fact was trained, taught and beaten in to every last pegasus. There was no other way, no other path. And yet Bravo found himself lost thanks to it. What was loyalty when the very thing you swore to die for is nonexistent. When everything you know is nonexistent. This reality shock Bravo to his core just by being itself. By being here in this shape and lacking everything that made his world, his views work. 

It was crushing and took him weeks… months to even go outside again. Mech was a good friend even his help did not make this more easy. Acclimatising to this world and shock it was to his beliefs, views and understand just took time. A lot of it. He was better now… Somewhat. It was still hard, confusing and confusing but he managed to do trips outside without breaking down or lashing out at some pony. Mech was the only pony to even have a hope of understanding… It. Why this was hard. 

But Bravo had to push on. Well he wanted to go home he knew he couldn't. It's been too long. He’s MIA or KIA and can’t go home. And this world was better in every way. Food! Water! Safety! It took weeks too learn how to sleep without jumping at every sound. Weeks trust water. Food… so on and so on. And yet he was still spinning in place. Loyalty… Loyalty. The word that haunted him like hounds on a fox and it made him feel aimless. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

With a clap of thunder Bravo looked up at the sky's pouring rain. He liked the rain. It made him feel… safe. Familiarity was the word, safe was the feeling. Rain was part of life back… There. Mud, rain and death. At least he had rain. Walking down the road gazed up at the towering buildings of white. Time to time a flash happens and he saw HIS Canterlot and its countless horrors. It made a shiver roll down his spine but he pushed onward, dry from the storm underneath his power armor. He still can’t go outside without it. Not for long. Panic attacks. When one spent months in it leaving it is terrifying. Every part of his brain screamed ‘outside is danger!’ without it. Even a friend next to him he’d start to panic. More time… maybe that is all he needed. 

Looking at the map in his HUD he gazed up at another big building. This was the place… Blueblood. A war hero… At least for Bravo. The mare from his first moments here was tied to Blue. Mech never did explain how very well, saying it will be easier if he ‘saw it’ for himself. Or something. Bravo just hoped the offer was still open. Mech was fun, but insane. A level head was something he needed and with luck this pony had one to offer. 

….

Ringing the door bill he looked up at the giant wood doors. Why on earth did a pony need doors do big? Did they have a pet sphinx or something? Well he sat at the door he removed his helmet, letting his golden orange mane flow out with a shake and lit up a cigarette. Was no dash but it helped keep his shakes down. He still hated Mech for not making him more. He knows the mad-doc can, he just did not. jerk.

Tempest let out a small snort as pulled a hoof up to shake the other mares. “I am not the best mare for helping one regrain social skills as I hardly have such skills to share.” She remarked with a glance at the gate. “And… that is fitting for what I did. I like to view myself as mighty…” She then looked back at the pretty mare as she gives a name. “I’m Tempest Shadow, a name most know well but take more pride in meeting one that did not.” She says back with a smile.

“And you are a writer? That is what it sounds like… I don’t think I have had the pleasure of reading a book from you sadly. Well I enjoy reading I have not much time in my life for it… Do hope to change that in truth. Why I am this way, seaking someplace more… removed. It seems I am on a good path as it sounded like you wanted to do the same to work?” She says looking up at the old building. “Love to own a place like this in truth…”

Tempest did not respond to them, not at first. Just staring out at the lake she felt so out of place with a heavy feeling of flight or fight. She was afraid of what was happening around her as very genuine offers of kinship were being held out for her. And that scared her more than any battle or monster she has faced. She did not deserve it, not one drop of it. But that can’t be why she was scared. She knew that and it made her feel all the more ashamed. 

Rubbing her front legs together she shifted uneasily before looking at herself in the water. Such a sad mare she saw, sitting alone even as others sat with her. “I.” She starts and ends going nowhere with that as she struggled to place her feelings. “I’d… like that… All of it.” Almost forcing herself to speak at first. “I’d like some friends ya.” She looked over at Sunset and gives the mare an awkward smile. “I don’t know what strings you’d have to pull but that sounds nice…” She then looked to the rest. 

“I’m sorry for… Everything. This day should not be about me. Fange! You won… And Hanabi you deserve as much care.” She says with a shake of her head. “But you still pushed onward, dropping everything for… Me. I don’t know… How to deal with things like this. I don’t get helped. I don’t get saved. But I have been. Time and time and I just…” She trailed off looking away with a frustrated snort and stomp, angry at herself. Why was just… taking something good so damned hard. “I know what happiness was. But after losing it one time I am scared of losing it again. You have to understand being my friend will not be easy for me or you three.” She explained as well as she can before pulling herself to look at all of them again. “But I think… no, I know this is what I need.” Shifting about she looked down at a hoof, than holds it out with an even more awkward smile. “So maybe… We can be friends?”

Tempest leaned her head to the side as she found the local. A mare… A pretty one at that, not menmy mares dress like that… She liked it honestly, when she was young, that's what she wanted too dress like. She has a pretty voice as well… Tempest lifted a hoof up and was about to speak up when the mare turned around and spotted Tempest and thankfully did not yell in shock. She was very relaxed about it… making Tempest wonder if she knew Tempest was there all along. 

“Last I checked I was alive, despite everything” Tempest says back. “Hopefully I am not disturbing you from that nap, came out here to explore off the beaten path. I care not for all the tourist traps. All they do is tell me where some peace and quiet is.” She added chuckling before looking over her back to where she came from. “I hope you don’t own this place… I ripped the gate off its hinges” She added before looking back at the pretty mare… Her eyes were gorgeous. “I can leave if you wish, I did not come here to bug some locals."

Out of the way, snuggled up between mountains and deep in a dark ‘haunted’ forest that was mostly untouched?  most that visit just want to run about in old buildings and stay out of the way? The more Tempest learned about the town of Hollow Shades the more she liked the sound of it. And it was pretty close Canterlot and Ponyvill! At least by her standards. She's traveled far longer paths on hoof so the hoof travel was not bad. So, wanting to see the place for herself she planned a trip and set off it. 

_____________________

“And stay down…” Tempest mutters, her horn sparking in the rain as she kicked a charred chunk of wood. Looking up in to the dark woods she smiles seeing shapes backing away, running off in to the void. Timberwolves where easy to scare away if one knew how. Well the Timberwolf she lit up was not down for good, being set on fire like that was going too keep it playing dead for a time. “Two packs in one night… I like this forest.” she remarked with a smirk, heading back to her tent with one last kick to the smoking Timberwolf.

_____________________

Two days later she was in the town. Well it was cute and themed to look all old and spooky but she was not here for that. All she needed in town was some goods and to ask the Mayor on where she was legally allowed to camp. After setting up her camping site for a longer stay over she sat off her real aim… Checking out the less traveled paths. She picked up a few maps and travel brochures in the town and used them to tell her where not to go.

She had to travel a good ways out to get away from the tourist spots and off deeper in to the woods. But the payoff was well worth it… Uncovering an old manor. Not on the maps or brochures, just what she wanted to find. With a flair of her horn the old rusted gates are ripped open, ancient iron glowing hot as she parted them and walked on in to the manors long forgotten courtyard. Untouched and beautiful… Or was it? beautiful yes, but not untouched. Her sharp eye spotted hoof prints in the overgrown grass and dirt. Fresh it seems. Maybe a local vistes here? Easy to see why. 

Looking up at the towering old manor she just rollers her soldiers and pushed on ahead to explore deeper.

Tempest pulled a front leg up to rub at both spots she got kissed well sticking her tounge out as if she ate something nasty. Done removing the weird feeling on her cheeks she takes her appeals, slapping them up on her back. “Thanks AJ, properly be sundown when I show up to crash. Thanks for letting me. Shall try too not wake you up.” She says well eyeing some Colt cutting in line… Foals these days. But AJ was dealing with it and Tempest had done her fair share of ‘social interaction’ for now and just wanted to get a move on. So, giving AJ a thankful nod she dashed down the road to get up to Luna knows what mischief. 

*Exit Tempest*

Tempest felt taken aback at how AJ reacted to her plans, going on a small rant about that remark. It left her just blinking, even if AJ was speaking gentle it was fussing all the same. Like some old mother mare fussing at her colt for being stuped but trying to be nice about it. It was weird. “I made no remark about being isolated, I just want to explore something that may be good for me. To find myself, my real self and learn to love what I am and not worry about…” She sighs and shakes her head. “Later, we can talk later. Plenty wanting apples and not here to see us fuss like your my mother.” She says with a roll of her eyes before nuzzling in to her sadeel bags to grab sack of coins.

Plopping it on counter she looked back at AJ, eyeing her up before talking. “If you must kiss me… fine. But on the cheek. Plase, all I ask is that you respect my boundaries on this.” She says pushing ten bits over. “I want two bushels… so, two kisses on the cheek? Can use some more apples on the road when I head out in the morning.” She added explaining why she wanted two, it was nothing fancy or trying to mess with AJ. She just needed some food for the road and may as well buy it from AJ.

The fact you end up as one of the… bipedal things in that world made it sound so much worse, Temy can’t even think about what it is like to wiggle about on one's back legs than fail their… arms? Arms was it? About to grab things. At least griffins walked about like a civilized species! Belh! 

But far more fascinating and less sad than that fate was Sunsets take on why she comes back. friendship, and not just some good friends. But something more. A best mate, a brother in arms that you trust and knows you like no other. That was her bond with Twilight. Something She never… Well maybe one time did have. But such feelings for another so far removed from ehr life now they seemed no different than reading about some pony in an old book. 

As for… the tones other picked up on, they were all but lost on Temy. Such notes of love and romance were so outside of her reach of understanding they did not even register as a passing thought. To her eyes this was bound of deep camaraderie. Something she did wish, even thinking about Sunny having such a bound with an other left her feeling some about of want for the same. What it must be like to have such a strong tie come back to someplace so far away time and time again just to see them. “You are lucky to have such a thing…” She says looking at the lake, ears aiming behind her at the two following them. She was very aware they have been. 

“One day maybe I shall have such camaraderie again and not be scared of it. When ever some pony reaches out all I see are daggers behind backs. That is my world and my own jail it seems. I know I am in it yet I can not find the key to let myself free. Even now…” She darts her head back to look at the two following them, before they even talked she was staring at them with a flick of an ear. “Fine, join us again. Saves you following like lost pups.”

She looked back to Sunset sighing and taped her hoof at the water. “One brick at a time I breaking free. Its slow. Painfull. But at least I know… As much as I hate it, much of this jail is my own making. Now I must unmake it… And maybe it's best not to do it alone. I just have to learn how to open the door to let help in.”

The world was so confusing. Her head was pounding with pain as her eyes tried to focus but failed. Glitching, sputtering as images come and go. Text flashed in useless streams she can't keep up with. It was like being alive in a dream, falling and aware but helpless to stop what was going on. She can feel herself being moved, hurt. Pulled. It hurt! Yet she can not voice it or react. Where was she again? Why was thinking so hard? 

-systems damage!-

The words pounded in her head, she wanted to hide her head underneath a pillow from them. What was she doing? 

-Calling for immediate repairs!-

-ERROR: failed to content to ECCM- 

-ERROR: failed to content to CCNW-

Her eyes focused again on the pink shape in front of her… Was she floating? She felt weird… in the air. Limp and lifeless, but alive as her eyes tried so hard to stay focused as danger warnings flared up, glitching in and out as her combat routines try helpless to understand what was going on. Was it talking? She can hear sounds, words buy they all seem so meaningless…

Then the crash happened. At first it was good, she felt warm, safe. Like she was filly snuggled up in bed. Than the bed dropped out from underneath her. Her stomach felt like it was trying to claw its way out of her chest as her head had hot nails driven in to it. All the good was ripped out of her body, the masked pain no longer out of view. Why did her legs hurt so much? Why did everything hurt? 

-Critical warning! Combat Stims failing! Calling for immediate R.A.R!-

-ERROR: failed to content to ECCM- 

-ERROR: failed to content to CCNW-

-Critical warning! Enforcer at risk of flatline! Calling for immediate R.A.R!-

-ERROR: failed to content to ECCM- 

-ERROR: failed to content to CCNW-

The voices! They were like nails on her brain, screaming at her about something! Where was she!? What was going on! Why was it so hard to think! “H-healp…” Soft, faint, Weak. “Me.” She whimpered, forcing words from a muzzle that was not her own for so long. Her will was not broken yet, it screamed for her to do something. “Pea… pllss..” Words fail in her muzzle, it was so hard to speak when she can’t even feel the words. “Plase.” What was this pink thing? Did she know of it? Has she seen it? Can it help her? It was talking to her… it must be.  “Lightning Dust.” A name, was it her name? It was, it has to be. Her name was Lightning Dust! And she… She… oh.

Tempest chuckled softly at how much AJ loved talking about her colt, it was adorable. Even if the fact that it was… stuck her as odd. Something about it just warmed her heart and she just can’t explain why. “That is good to hear and glad he’s learning well! Math gave me one heck of a time. Never was one for it or much learning when I was young. Just wanting to run about outside.” She remarked shaking her head. 

“And things have been… Stressing. Been trying to change my life around some. Call my crazy but I have really been thinking about just packing it all up and heading deep out in to the wilderness for a time. Maybe try my hoof at map making remote places? Don’t know. I just know city and town life has been nothing short of a fuss for me. But keeping my nose out of things to bad for now… just some scraps here or there for fun.” She says with a wave of her hoof sinker. “Now… I am willing to buy some apples. But a kiss?” She arched an eyebrow. “Well tell you what, let me crash my flank in the barn again tonight for free and maybe I will let you.” She says leaning her head back just to be on the safe side.

Tempest arched an eyebrow at how odd sunset acted before she just chuckled. “We it seems, are not like most ponies.” She remarked without slowing down her fast walk at all but she did keep her eyes on Sunset now with a glare of a hungry wolf. “You changed topics with all the grace of a drunken sailor spotting a hot mare. I shall take this to mean you worry the topic of this… land will upset me… Do they all have hands? Is that it? Must not walk on all fours than. Dreadful. A two leg species dominated that world yes? If you wish to hide something get better at topic changes and flow.” She added looking away from Sunset, done staring in to the mares very soul with her cold judging eyes. 

“It is not mine, so I care not. But do not take them too this one. The last thing we need is more verimen running about.” She says with snort and flick of the ears. “But let's dig into something more fanasting. I… Well, disowned works in some ways, my family as well. And friends… home. All of it. I have no wish to ever see them again save for maybe are servent. She’d be rather old now. But she was more of a mother than my own. And my friends? Some of them were in canterlot. Saw the names on the lists. Posted them for the hardest laber. My last ‘thanks’ for them tossing me to the side.” She frowns. “It did not make me feel better. Much of what happened did not not. So tell me outcast. Why come back? What force drove you to seek the lands you turned from?” She asked all of this without looking at Sunset one time, yet Sunet can feel that the taller unicorn was very away of every movement she made.

“Finly.” Tempest says marching, rather literally, up to the stand where she stands tall. At first with that same dead, uncaring blank face that seems stuck on her. At least until it broke down into a smile as she holds a hoof out to greet AJ. “Hello, been a few has it? Sorry. Life has been… Busy but maybe for the better. How have you and the young one been?” She asked sounding very genuine in her words and smile. 

But aside from that smile and a more cheerful tone she looked much the same. Still wearing that body covering jumpsuit and black-platemail. Her face had a few more new markings as well. Scarring from cuts gained somehow from the last time AJ laid eyes on the mare betraying that she has yet to get away from finding ways to get in to scraps. But she was still tall, lean and powerful as the jumpsuit did nothing to hide the raw strength underneath it. In all, not a lot seems too have changed with her but if one knew her they can see so much has in the small act of her smiling and caring about another. Small things but so very big for her.

‘Lightning’ leans her head to the side and shrugs her shoulders. No ties. No links. She was nothing with no past and she had to keep that. He wanted to add more layers so she may trip on her own story. But she knew how to be… nothing. To come from nowhere with no past. She has done it plenty of times already.

Now what was… something was the dog! She knew he was… more than he seemed but this was something new. She can’t help but look him up and down with a confused face and bewilderment at what happened and what he was. She wished she can voice how…. Uh, shocking that was. She did not know what he was. At all. How she wanted to know more! The Jarl's words on the topic so open ended as to what this dog was. But she had a feeling that is something she will not learn today. 

But she did have to do a double take as the Jarl did offer her… and the dog maybe? To join him. She was thinking he may be leading up to this but the fact he did was still… more than she planned for. This trip was to mess about, live another life and get away from the feelings that haunted her. Now on the plate was so much more and the risk with it. Well she was thinking about the risks of joining already it was now much more pressing. 

If she did join she’d be playing with her life. One wrong move, one slip and she ends up on the chopping block. By her own will if need be, slave she shall NEVER be. So can she risk it all? To put herself side by side with them? She was trying to get away from… this way of living. To stop feeding her demons. But this was one in a lifetime… The last hurrah? 

She had too. She will join, stay with them for… long as she felt safe than fake her death. Death happened out here. He’d not be shocked to see a newer blood pass in a battle going south. So be it. 

Rearing up on the table she nods her head, grinning ear to ear. For all her thinking she did not let slip one glance of worry. She was a cow wanting this, ready for it with all her heart and she had to look the part… one that was far too easy to play, something that deep down distressed her in how easy it was. The wolves will get to play one last time.

By the time Seabreezer reached the captain Draco was leaning on the rails looking out over the busy docks. A free port like this for all its risk drew many far and wide. Even merchants came this far out to sell goods they can’t at other places. As such the city grew and grew, only to be washed away come the next storm. It came and went like the seasons and he found that rather charming. Looking over at Seabreezer he snorted at a hoof hit his back and repaid it by snapping open a wing in to her face with some force as well. 

Well she recovered from a face full of wing he looked back at the docks. “We need some more skilled crew, we got plenty of hard working hooves and claws but I need some brains.” He remarked. “I can only hope I can get some. If all fails I will just have to put in a request with the Diamond Dog merchants and I'd rather not take that path. Maybe we need too try some luck on a more well off merchant ships and see if we can press gang one of their more highly educated crew to join us.” He explained strecheing out like a cat with a yawn, not at all put off or bothered by the acts he was explaining or thinking of. 

“Now I hope you got me something to drink, you have been eating up my bank partying well I have been doing paperwork and buying goods. You will be happy to know the hardtack I got does not have weevils in it! So best enjoy it before they do.” He chuckles looking at the half zebra. “Added flavor if you ask me.”

Tempest flicked an ear as the pink bird pony felt the need to speak up. She groaned and looked over her back at the filly with a cold, uncaring look she was so well known for.  “I’m not gonna be baited in to that. Last thing I need is twilight sitting me down for some long friendship talk on why my discipline is not ok to use on colts and fillies.” She remarked looking away from them. 

But it seems Grubber had to open his trap again. At least he was not talking at her so she can’t really get angry at him for talking at another around her. Fleet days were long gone. Even if his lisp made her skin crawl. But hearing him stand up for her was… funny. He was ever faithful in his own way. For how much she hated how useless he was, he was not a total failure. His trust and willingness to follow her orders was good. Now if only he was not so lacking in all other things! 

Maybe when he’s older she can try her hoof at training him better? Was it even worth it? Probably not. But few were willing to go on rants about how good sh- hold up. Her ears flicked as she turned her head to look at him. ‘Best friend anybody can ask for’? It made a soft snort leave her muzzle. That was a lie. It's been almost two years and she’s not made one… Not for a lack of trying. It's not her fault. Was it? Whatever. It was almost her turn and she was getting hungry.

Tempest nods with a soft chuckle as she watched AJ remove the small colt from her back. She was kinda sad to see him go, but he needed some real rest, not napping on top of her back. As sweet as that was. “Don’t rush.” Tempest says back as AJ left the room…

Soon as she was gone she lays her head down on the table, staring off at nothing as she took stock of… everything. Aj was uncomfortable that was easy to read. Much as the mare did try to hide it, she was a bad liar. But she can’t blame AJ. What pony will not feel uncomfortable with her? What she asked? But she had to do it. AJ needed to understand getting too know her was not fun and full of sunshine. She was not normal. 

In one week she went from leading an airship fleet to sitting at this table. She took this land to the breaking point in one day. Its leadership gone on all levels. Yet she was free. They let her go on the words of twilight. Friends. Much as she smiled and nodded she did not feel it. She never had friends and that was not changing soon.

With a sniff Tempest realized she was starting to lose it. Tears were forming in her eyes. She needed to be alone. Drinking the last of the milk and taking a few more bites she looked out the window and the growing darkness outside as the evening faded into night time. She needed to rest, that’s all. Did she stay? Was she wellcome too? Walking to the stars she looked up them, she wanted to ask… But something stopped her. She felt scared to ask. Moving to the door she gently opens it and slips out to find somewhere to sleep underneath the stars.

“There's beauty in chaos.” Tempest says back, her eyes fixed on the road ahead as they walked. “And I don't mean the chaos of… say, Discord. His is more a from of disorder than chaos but really that is down to how one uses the word. But my magic is very unpredictable no two spells are ever really the same. Most don’t know that about me… but when I use magic it's bringing order to a storm. Pulling all the bolts together to aim them at something. I never know how they will move I just have to act on it.” She slowed her walk down and took in a deep breath as she relaxed more. 

“I can not say I fully believe you. But I can not dismiss it as well. We live in a world where what can or can not happen is often so easily broken with the flick of a horn. Pigs can’t fly until a unicorn gets bored and put wings on one. So some magic gateway to another land can not be dismissed. Just seems rather out there… But so are shape shifting bug-ponies and I…” She tails off, flinching as if something hit her. “I worked for a blasted… thing that walked on two legs and had… ‘fingers’ and may I say fingers are weird. They honestly creep me out. Ever watch something with fingers hold things? Bending them like dozens of tiny legs… It's just… wrong.” She added with a silver as she got back into a steady walking pace well making a turn down another path. 

“But let's… get back to you. You live in this other place… What is it like? Are there no unicorns? Just… Earth pony? Pegasus? Something like that?” She asked, finly glancing down at Sunny.

Tempest flicked an ear to the sound of rain on the tent and the crackling of water landing on a hot fire. Just about every time she had an opportunity to get away from the city and get lost in the wilderness she took it to do just that. Re-reading the newspaper article she cut out she dwelled on its words. They, like so many others, were completely correct and yet they seemed so daunting. But she needed to swallow her pride and follow it. Easier said than done and maybe that is why she needed this… ‘therapist’ to help her. Not the first to say that but she did not know where to start. What soft pony has a hope of understanding her? But was that line of thinking precisely why she was in the spot she was? 

Well she can take some steps by herself. Puting the newspaper article away she stretched out, looking outside of her tent and took in the view of the rainy northern mountains she was camping in. Step one… ‘Stop comparing yourself to other ponies, and start dwelling on your specific positive attributes. Dwell on these affirmations and repeat them daily; force yourself if you have too’ She was… Strong. Strong willed. Brave. She worked hard and enjoyed it… Not a long list of positive attributes but maybe she can add more as she thinks of them. 

Next step. ‘Train yourself to be mindful of negative thoughts: try to understand the source behind your pessimism, and then re-write your thoughts in a more positive light.’ That was a more difficult one as the source of them seems so muddy. Was it her broken horn? Her filly hood? How she grew up? Was it all of them together? Well how can she look at it in a more positive light? That stumped her… How can her life be… 

She walked out in the rain, letting the cold water shock her body. 

Her broken horn made her… Grateful for what she did have. Sharp eyes and ears, a body that can go hoof to hoof with an earth pony. And she was not without magic. Yes, it was messy and chaotic but it was beautiful. Like a thunderstorm in all its raw power. There was beauty in it. Many unicorns can’t use magic at all with a broken horn. It's painful and hard. But she overcame the pain and hardships and was more powerful than many with a working horn. Did she even need a working horn? If she did would she have pushed herself to do what she did? Would she have ended up like most, content with what she had and wasting it? Maybe it being broken was something to be thankful for. It made her thankful for what she had as she may have so easily lost much more that day. An eye. An ear… her life. 

What was positive about how she grew up? All The hardships, dread and fear… but what about the good times? Watching the sun rise over the tips of mountains. Seeing the wonders of the northern winter and the scorched lands of the south and west. She grew to love being out there. Even now she found herself most happy when she got away from it all deep in the wilderness. She learned how to take care of herself and be grateful for every day she was alive. Maybe that was the positive light in the darkness. 

Looking up at the rain storm she let the cold water wash over her body in silent contemplative. 

‘Whenever you accomplish a goal, celebrate it, use it as an excuse to indulge yourself, and then add that accomplishment to that list of positive attributes’ That seemed easy… She never was one to indulge herself. Well maybe she did but not in good ways. She needed to give herself good ways to indulge herself. Sweets? She did really enjoy making and drinking ice cream floats… she never understood why but maybe that was a good way to ‘treat herself’ among other things. That can’t be too hard. Maybe loosen up some and let herself slack off for a day. 

‘Find things to do that make you feel good, and stick with them’ What did she like? Well.. This. Being out here in the wilderness. It was beautiful out here. She felt safe and relaxed. Cities and towns never failed to make her slink back to her worst ways. Her trip to ponyville was… just a mess. To many outbursts and bad memories. What about her job? Was that really good for her? It was forcing her to repeat very bad things and be her worst. At first it felt like what she wanted but was it? Maybe what she wanted was peace and quiet out here. Can she make a living out of that? She heard there may be jobs like that. Where one lives far out here, watching the land keeping it safe for others. That implied there others like her out there… And maybe they’d like to enjoy the peace and quiet with company? Did they have that… ‘longing’ feeling as well? Maybe. 

Well one of the last big steps was finding a ‘professional therapist’ to help her… Where can she even start doing that? The first pony she can think of is Cadence but she had an… ‘empire’ to run. Why did they call it an empire… Well, outside of running a city state that played make believe she had a family and many duties to follow. Twi? Same thing. AJ? Well she had a farm and family! She can’t dump her self again on the mare as some weekly thing. She stressed the poor mare out as is… Sunny? Honestly she needed to read up on this more so she knew where to even start. But in the passing of time she had to keep trying to do what Cadence suggested. Maybe there was hope yet.

Tempest sat alone in her small apartment. The glowing endless sun of Las Pegasus shimmering outside as if it was mid day, even with the sky painting black. Laying on her bed she tossed a now empty can on to the… alarmingly large heap she has yet to clean. Staring up at her ceiling and the poster of one well known captain of the guard that was nothing short of unfit for young eyes. she groaned. Sitting up she looked at the newspaper on her dirty desk, one part of highlighted. Looking at the mailing address she sat down and looked out the window. She was fearless, brave… Willing to run headlong into battles and wars. Yet it has taken her hours to even get this far. She was afraid. Yet she had to do it. This was the easiest way to take the first step. She can’t win every battle alone. Pulling out a paper and grasping a pencil in her muzzle she put it to the paper…

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oh my, such a small pirate!

But I shall add him when his papa's ship gets listed. or may make a new slot to list pirates with no listed ship or something.